 Kitty Van Bortel
When you meet Kitty Van Bortel-as so many customers of her three dealerships do every day-you know that she’s the powerhouse behind the enormous, consistent success of Van Bortel Subaru, Van Bortel Ford and Van Bortel Used Car Center. Kitty owns one of the top selling Subaru dealerships in the nation, as well as one of the most successful Ford dealerships in a multi-state area. Her automotive group is now one of the fastest growing, privately held companies in the greater Rochester, NY area.
With an investment of only $500, Kitty founded her first used car dealership in her front yard in 1985, lining up the cars in front of her small house in Victor, NY. She applied the experience she had gained as sales manager for John Holtz’s Mercedes Benz/BMW dealership to her own enterprise, moving to a three-acre lot in 1990 and quickly gaining momentum until it was time to choose a brand and move to new car sales. It was only natural that she became attracted to Subaru because of the cars’ sturdy construction, excellent design and focus on safety, reliability and comfort. She built a 6,000-square-foot facility in Victor to house Van Bortel Subaru, and opened the doors in 1991.
Kitty approached new car sales with a unique philosophy: She instinctively became the kind-hearted dealer. "I trust people, and I always have," she said in a recent keynote speech to the Greater Rochester Chapter of the National Association of Woman Business Owners. "And when you trust people, people will trust you. That’s why we give our customers a fair price, and all the information they need to make a sound decision, and then we allow them to take the time to make that decision. No tricks, no games."
Customers of Van Bortel Subaru, Van Bortel Ford and Van Bortel Used Car Center are offered a no-dicker price for each car, with full disclosure of the vehicle’s base price, the cost of the options chosen by the customer, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, and the price offered by Van Bortel-including a clear statement of the dealership’s profit on the sale. By removing the negotiation process from the purchase, Kitty Van Bortel takes the fear out of buying the car: The customer knows without a doubt that he or she has paid a fair price for the vehicle.
In just one year after opening Van Bortel Subaru, Kitty was inducted into the Subaru Chairman’s Roundtable-a select organization of the top 20 dealers in the nation who display excellence in sales and customer satisfaction. She has remained a member every year since 1992, and today Van Bortel Subaru maintains a 77% or more market share in Subaru sales in the Rochester area, an achievement that dates back to 1997. In 1999, Van Bortel Subaru became the largest Subaru dealership in the nation, receiving Subaru Stellar Performer certification every year since 2001.
With this exemplary record of success, it was only natural for Ford Motor Company to select Kitty to become a Ford dealer in 2001. She opened Van Bortel Ford just a short drive down the road from the Subaru dealership in Victor, NY, and by 2002 the new dealership became Blue Oval Certified, an indication of Van Bortel Ford’s immediate and consistent success. Van Bortel Ford quickly rose to become the highest volume selling Ford dealer in the market-beating 10 other Rochester area Ford dealers. In 2003 and 2004, Van Bortel Ford received Ford’s annual Top 20 Sales Achievement Award and 2005-2009 Van Bortel Ford received Ford’s Annual Top 40 Sales Achievement Award in the Pittsburgh region, which includes dealerships from several states.
Kitty is more than a smart, successful business owner-she is also a well-recognized role model for businesswomen in the greater Rochester area and throughout the nation. Working Woman magazine selected Van Bortel Subaru as a Top 500 Woman-Owned Business for four years running. Kitty has been honored as a Wells College Alumni of the Year, and she received the Alfred University College of Business Galanis Award for Excellence in Family Business in 2003. In 2005 Kitty was recognized as one of the 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry by Automotive News and recognized by the Rochester Business Journal as "One of Rochester’s Most Influential Women". In 2006 Kitty was nominated as the Rochester Small Business Council’s "Business Person of the Year". 2009 was a busy year for Kitty as she was the recipient of the Herbert W. Vanden Brul Entrepreneurial Award from RIT’s Business School, she was inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame and the recipient of the Rochester Women’s Network "W" Woman of the Year Award. Kitty was the recipient of the Woman Business Owner of the Year in 2010 from the Victor Local Development Corporation and the Rotary International Paul Harris Award given by the Fairport Rotary Club. In 2011 she was the winner of the Rochester Women’s Council Athena International Leadership Award.
Kitty’s commitment to the community she calls home is evident in the many non-profit organizations she and her automotive group support. She conducts a Car Buying Seminar for pediatric interns at the University of Rochester. The Van Bortel dealerships sponsor Camp Good Days and Special Times, the Susan B. Anthony House, Rochester Women’s Foundation, the local chapter of the National Liver Foundation, AIDS of Rochester, Quad A for Kids, American Heart Association, Pluta Cancer Center, local Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, Pet Pride of New York, Mercy Flight and Continuing Developement Services "Warrior Salute" program.
What’s next for Kitty and the Van Bortel dealerships? In February of 2010, Kitty bought Fairport Ford and moved her entire Ford operation to 71 Marsh Road in Fairport, which is a larger, more modern facility allowing her to better serve Van Bortel customers. The Victor dealership on Route 96 is now Van Bortel Used Car Center, specializing in quality used cars. By growing three businesses to region-wide leadership while never compromising her principles-and always giving the customer a fair deal and a satisfying car buying and maintenance experience-Kitty Van Bortel turned a $500 investment into one of the most successful and respected enterprises in the area, emerging as a leader in business, in commitment to the community, and in treating every customer the way she herself would want to be treated, every day. |
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 Ruth Perrin
Assistant to the President
"I work for Kitty because she is the one of the most kind, honest and fair people I have ever met."
As Kitty’s assistant, Ruth is the go-to person when you need to get in touch with Kitty or check her schedule. Ruth spent six years as a Sales Consultant and Manager in the communications industry before turning to the automobile industry. Her automobile industry experience includes time as a salesperson, finance manager and sales manager before taking on the role of Assistant to the President. Customer service is Kitty’s number one priority, so that’s Ruth’s first priority as well-and she means it when she says, "Don’t hesitate to call me when you need help!"
When she’s not serving Van Bortel customers (since 1996), Ruth enjoys snowmobiling with the family, cross-country skiing, biking, walking the family Golden Retriever and reading. |
Technical Service
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 Guy Kalpin
Service Manager
"I work for Kitty and Howard because I believe in their philosophies, especially in Customer Service. Besides, we have great customers!"
When he opened the Van Bortel Ford service department in 2001 Guy brought with him 32 years of automotive experience , ranging from technician to Service Manager, with 17 of those years in Ford service. "My Dad had me under the hood of a car since I could walk. Who knew I could support a family doing something I love so much." |
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 Dick Clark
Service Manager
"Kitty and Howard's view on customer and employee satisfaction is great!""
Since 1982, Dick has been in the Automotive Service industry starting as a Technician and as he learned the business the promotions came. He joined the Van Bortel team in 2010. Dick lives in Rush with his wife and 2 daughters and enjoys hunting and golfing in his free time. |
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 Jim Stahl
Parts and Service Director
"I had a much better feeling about the people at Van Bortel than I’d had at other dealerships. Looking back, it was an easy decision to make the move."
With more than 14 years’ experience in Ford parts management before joining Van Bortel when the dealership opened in 2001, Jim has an unusually firm grasp of the pieces that make Fords work. A Naples native, he lives in Canandaigua with his wife and son, and flies small airplanes when he is not at Van Bortel. He also enjoys restoring antique automobiles, and owns a 1930 Studebaker and a 1963 Cadillac convertible, among other classics. |
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 Glen Wilmot
Parts Manager
Glen joins Van Bortel Ford in 2010 with 30 years of parts and management experience. He lives in Greece with his wife and 2 young children with whom he spends his free time. |
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Don Mikel
Certified Senior Master Technician
As a 24 year year Ford technician with 31 years of automotive technical experience, Don was welcomed to the Van Bortel Ford service team in 2010 when Van Bortel moved to East Rochester.
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Brad Gattelaro
Certified Senior Master Technician
"I love working for Van Bortel Ford!"
Brad joined Van Bortel Ford in 2002 to continue utilizing his 18 years of automotive expertise, which includes 7 years as a Ford technician. |
Steve Rupel
Certified Senior Master Technician
In 2007 Steve joined the Van Bortel Ford service team, bringing with him 3 years of service technician experience and training from the Ford Factory Technician School and Universal Technical School. |
Rich Murray
Certified Senior Master Technician
Rich has been a Certified Senior Master Technician since 2006 and a service technician with 15 years experience (11 as a Ford technician) when he began working for Van Bortel Ford. He owns a home in Webster and is currently remodeling it in his free time. His first child is due to arrive in 2011.
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 John Scharbach
Certified Senior Master Technician
John prefers to work on Ford vehicles and has exclusively since 1989. He has been working with Van Bortel Ford since 2009 and brought with him 27 years of technical experience. John has been a Certified Senior Master Technician since 2007. When he’s not working, he likes to ride motorcycles and go boating. |
Sales Department
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 Allen Hawkins
New Car Sales Manager
Allen has been with Kitty since the dealership opened in 2001 and has been in the Ford business for over 20 years. Allen is a Victor native and when he is not working enjoys many outdoor sports including biking, canoeing and hiking. He finished the ADK 46 in 2008 and is currently training for the ADK Classic and the Ninety Miler in the fall of 2011.
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 Lee Daubenspeck
Sales Manager
"Kitty's the best owner I've ever worked for, hands down!"
Lee graduated from RIT with a Bachelors of Science degree in Food, Hotel and Restaurant Management. That led him to South Carolina for 2 years to work at the Hyatt Regency as the Banquet Manager. He eventually moved to Rochester to start working for Fox Ford as a Salesperson and has stayed in the Automobile Industry since 1994. Lee's resume includes experience as a Sales Manager, General Manager and Business Manager. He was hired the day Kitty opened the doors in 2001. On his free time, Lee enjoys hunting, fishing, cooking and spending time with his family. |
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 Paul Bowers
Sales Consultant
"Having been in the business for a long time, I heard all the good things about Kitty. Her reputation, the way she does business… I tried to get into this dealership for a long time."
A Van Bortel Ford sales consultant since the dealership opened in 2001, Paul brings nearly two decades of auto sales experience to Van Bortel customers. He’s a Gananda resident with his wife and two children, and when he’s not working, he’s at home and around town with his family. |
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 Steve Miller
Sales Consultant
""Kitty is the best Ford dealer in the U.S. and I love working here!""
Steve grew up in Fairport and now lives in Farmington with his wife and 3 young children. When Steve started at Van Bortel Ford in the summer of 2005, he brought with him 5 years restaurant managerial experience while attending SUNY Geneseo College and 1 year of automotive sales experience. Steve enjoys hiking in the Adirondacks and spending time with his family. |
 George Lunney
Sales Consultant
Prior to joining Van Bortel Ford in 2010 with 6 plus years of Auto Sales experience, George was in the retail business and a veteran of the Air Force. He is married with children and enjoys riding motorcycles, hunting and fishing. |
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 Claxton Wells
Sales Consultant
"Give me an opportunity to earn your business by coming down to Van Bortel Ford today."
Claxton has been proudly serving the Rochester community since 2005 as a Certified Ford Sales Consultant and joined Van Bortel Ford in 2010. His philosophy is simple; give the customer the attention they deserve, treat them like family, and be open and honest. When he's not serving his customers, Claxton enjoys spending time with his family and church affiliations. |
 Jake McClelland
Sales Consultant
In June of 2010, Jake joined the sales department of Van Bortel Ford bringing with him 5 years of sales experience. He enjoys recording acoustic music, spending as much time as he can in the great outdoors and with his wife and two young children. |
 Simo Hatzipapas
Sales Consultant
"I heard great things about Kitty's organization and how she runs her business."
After studying Sports Management at MCC and managing the pro shop as a teaching pro at the Tennis Club of Rochester for 7 years, Simo joined Van Bortel Ford as a sales consultant in 2010. He is a new Pittsford resident, still enjoys playing tennis and spending time with his family and friends. |
 Jennifer Dalton
Delivery Specialist
"I chose to work for Kitty and Van Bortel Ford because of her great reputation and the terrific way she does business."
Spending 10 years in the telecommunications industry as a programmer, it was time to bring her expertise and business acumen to a new home at Van Bortel Ford as a sales consultant in 2010. She spends alot of her free time outdoors camping and hiking. She lives with her Maltese Bichon mix, Chloe.
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 Bob Cilano
Sales Consultant
"I wanted to work for Kitty because my family purchased two vehicles from her and we loved the way she did business. I wanted to sell Fords because they have made remarkable strides in product quality, customers have faith in the company, and they are making cars that people want to drive."
Bob worked his way through college as a lot attendant, and returned to the auto industry after a combination of career altering injuries prohibited that line of work. He love cars, meeting new people, and has eight years of sales experience (personal training). Car sales seemed like a logical next step to help provide for his family. Bob is married with two children, grew up in Victor, but now lives just outside the city.
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 Matt German
Sales Consultant
As a graduate of Alfred University in May 2011, Matt chose to work with the Van Bortel Ford Sales team because of their outstanding reputation in the community. He specializes in Internet Sales and Marketing. Spending time with his friends and family are priorities to Matt.
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Business / Finance
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 Bryan Zemaitis
Business Manager
Bryan brings his 6 years of Automotive Sales and Management experience to Van Bortel Ford in 2010. He lives in Spencerport, enjoys basketball and track sports and is engaged to be married in 2011. While he attended college (MCC & Roberts Weselyn) he competed in the US National Track meet for the triple jump and was ranked 13th in the nation. |
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 Brandon Wood
Business Manager
"Being new to the automobile industry I only wanted to work for a dealer that represents high integrity and superior customer service. The way Kitty operates her dealers was a perfect fit for me. She operates her dealerships with both integrity and superior customer service. Her reputation speaks for itself."
Brandon was born and raised in Penn Yan and graduated from SUNY Oswego with a Bachelors degree in Marketing. After college Brandon worked in various industries in business to business sales in Upstate New York and New Jersey. After working in sales Brandon and his wife moved to North Carolina where they owned a small occupational therapy practice. Brandon and his wife moved back to the area in early 2007 to be closer to their families and they now reside in Mendon with their newborn daughter. Brandon started as a Sales Consultant with us in October 2007 and he was promoted to Business Manager in May 2010. Outside of work Brandon enjoys reading, working on his home, and most importantly spending time with his wife and daughter.
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Technical Service
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 Tom Anne
Service Advisor
"I decided to work here because of the technical knowledge and integrity of our technicians and staff."
Tom joined Van Bortel Ford in 2003, bringing with him 17 years of experience at Goodyear as a salesperson and store manager. He enjoys golfing, sports and spending time with his family. |
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 Michael Hryhorenko
Service Advisor
"I agree with Kitty’s sales philosophy 100 percent. It’s the way everyone should do business."
Michael joined Van Bortel in 2003 with more than 10 years of automobile industry experience as a sales consultant, service advisor and inventory manager. Originally from Rochester, he now lives in Victor, where he spends his non—working hours taking care of his house and yard. |
 Doug Hicks
Service Advisor
Doug Hicks joined Van Bortel Ford as a Service Advisor bringing with him 23 years of Automotive Service and Management experience. When he's not helping our customers, he enjoys doing home improvement projects and spending time with the family and their pets.
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 Bob Rothfuss
Service Advisor
"Even though the commute is longer, it's definitely worth the drive to work here!"
Bob brought 14 years of experience as a Ford Service Advisor to Van Bortel in April, 2004. Prior to that, he participated in the family business in Penfield. Bob enjoys riding his motorcycle in his free time along with keeping up with his two sons. |
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 Bob Valerio
Service Advisor
Bob joins Van Bortel Ford in 2010 with 19 years of varied Automotive Service experience. He has a family with 5 children and he still finds time to volunteer at the Scottsville Fire Department. |
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Tom Brownyard
Service Advisor
"I came to work at Van Bortel Ford because of it's outstanding reputation, and now that I'm here it has all proven true!"
In 2011, Tom brought 29 years of Ford Service Advisor and Assistant Service Manager experience to the Van Bortel Ford service team. When he's not working, Tom spends his free time camping and with his grandkids.
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 Scott Byers
Service Dispatcher
In May 2010, Scott joined the Van Bortel Ford Service Team bringing with him 23 years of Ford Service Manager experience and 12 years of Parts Manager experience. |
 Jay Fullerton
Retail Delivery Coordinator
Jay brings 14 years of Automotive Parts and Service experience to Van Bortel Ford in 2010. He lives in Bloomfield and enjoys working around the house. In his free time, his hobby is assembling and collecting model cars. |
Phil Sykes
Service Lane Manager/Porter
After having attended RIT to pursue a Civil Engineering degree and gaining 3 years of merchandising experience, Phil is now studying Criminal Justice at Monroe Community College and in 2011 he is working full time as a Service Lane Manager serving Van Bortel Ford service customers. His interests revolve around sports, particularly watching professional football and basketball. |
 Lawrence Heinsler
Service Porter
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Accounting / Admin
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 Mike Tiss
Office Manager / CPA
"Kitty's reputation attracted me to this job. She is a very honest person."
Mike joined Van Bortel Ford when the dealership opened in 2001, with decades of experience working for other Ford dealerships. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Mike handles the accounts payable and works with Van Bortel vendors. He lives in Penfield, although he grew up in Florida-he takes advantage of the many cultural offerings in our area as a patron of the theater, art museums and other attractions. |
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 Fran Butera
General Manager
"Howard Van Bortel called me once a month for three years to get me to work for Van Bortel Ford. The Van Bortels' reputation as a great business finally convinced me to come here."
Fran came to Van Bortel Ford in 2004, after 18 years with another Ford dealership. Her job responsibilities range from payroll and accounts receivable to human resources and financial statements. The mother of three sons, Fran lives in Greece and enjoys time with her large extended family-including her boy's soccer games, coached by her husband. |
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 Maureen Nunn
Customer Relations
"I wanted to work for Kitty because of her reputation for customer satisfaction."
Maureen came to Van Bortel Ford in 2004 with 40 years of customer service experience. She enjoys meeting and greeting new people and working in this field is a perfect fit for her and our customers. |
 Lanessa Yager
Receptionist/Cashier
"I really enjoy working at Van Bortel Ford."
After having attended Finger Lakes Community College for 2 years pursuing a Business Administration degree and working as a Pre-
school Teacher, she joined Van Bortel Ford in 2010. She looks forward to serving all our customers. |
 Kimmy Krebbeks
Receptionist/Cashier
Kimmy joined the Van Bortel team in 2011. She is ASE certified and brings with her 7 years as a service advisor and parts manager. In her free time, she is now attending MCC part-time. |
Jay Fullerton - 2011 Employee of the Year |
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Fran Butera - 2008 Employee of the Year |
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